"I have only good things to say about my marriage and just because Tim and I aren't 'in love' anymore, it doesn't mean we don't still love each other," she explained. "Why would I get rid of my ring? Tim and I were together for 24 years - we really tried to make things work and we've brought up two amazing children.

"We were good friends, but we were getting to the point where we'd have lost our friendship if we kept the marriage going. We grew apart - the physical side of things had been important between us and we were forcing that because we felt we should. If you're unhappy, maybe you drink too many sherries, then things turn into a row. We didn't want it to be that way."

"It's early days â€“ we're not living together yet," she said. "Lots of stories came out about us early on, which nearly split us up, but we got through that. He'll be testing me on my lines later and cooking me dinner!"

The Loose Women presenter, currently deep in rehearsals for her role in a stage production of Steel Magnolias, told the magazine she is looking after her health, and has got herself "back to a size eight to 10".

"I feel much stronger now. I'm putting myself and my family first and making decisions based on my happiness. A few months ago, I was thinking, 'Oh God, I'm 53'," she said. "Now I'm thinking, 'Hey, I'm only 53 and there's a whole new life out there!'"